4 •
Important: Always read and follow the operating instructions.
Operating Instructions
This unit must be properly operated and properly
maintained to help avoid accidents that could damage
the unit and injure the operator or bystanders. This sec-
tion of the Operating Instructions manual review basic
operations and use of controls. These instructions
should be reviewed with all employees before they are
allowed to work with the machine. Keep these instruc-
tions near the machine for easy reference.
Bead Loosening and Demounting
This machine may operate differently from
machines you have previously operated.
Practice with a regular steel wheel and tire
combination to familiarize yourself with the
machine's operation and function.
A.
Remember to remove all weights from both
sides of the wheel. Weights left on backside
of wheel may cause the wheel to be clamped
unleveled. This may result in the combination
Duckhead
®
contacting the rim causing
scratches. On alloy wheels, always rotate the
wheel one turn after setting the Duckhead to
insure proper wheel chucking.
B.
Always review with the owner any nicks
and scratches on expensive wheel and tire
combinations prior to servicing.
C.
Review the performance wheel section of
this manual prior to servicing performance
tire/wheel combinations.
Loosening the beads on a partially or fully
inflated tire is unsafe and causes excess
movement and friction against the bumper
pads and excessive wear on pivots. Deflate
the tire completely to prolong the life of
your machine.
1.
Deflate the tire completely by removing the valve
core from the valve stem (figure 1). Be cautious and do
not smoke as a
flammable gas could have been intro-
duced into the tire at some time
.
Figure 1 - Remove Valve Core to Deflate Tire
Tires are always installed and removed from
the rim's narrow side.
D.
Always loosen the bead on the narrow side
of the wheel's drop center first. See figure 2
for more information on the drop center.
Figure 2 - Determine Narrow Side of Wheel
E.
The clamps on the tabletop may extend
beyond the tabletop itself. To avoid damaging
the clamps, move them to their full inward
position before positioning a tire for bead loos-
ening.
F.
Use extra care in positioning the bead
loosener shoe on larger wheels/tires, and on
alloy wheels. Make sure the shoe rests next to
but not on the rim, and not on the tire sidewall.
2.
Actuate valve to position the bead loosener shoe
away from the machine and roll wheel into position.
The valve stem should be in the 11 o'clock position to
accommodate a possible asymmetric safety hump
type rim. Position the bead loosener shoe against the
tire next to, but not on, the rim. Actuate the bead
loosener hand valve to position the shoe and loosen
the bead. It may be necessary to loosen the bead in
multiple locations around the tire (figure 3).
Long Side
Drop Center
Narrow Side
